[Jan Fisher]

Apparently there are a lot of closet monarchists out there.

King Charles’ recent visit to our shores drew a bit of attention, but as the years roll on our enthusiasm for British royalty seems to have waned.

Or has it?

According to Roy Morgan research, the majority of Australians, 57% (down 3% points since September 2022) believe Australia should remain a monarchy while only 43% (up 3% points) say Australia should become a Republic with an elected president.

Support for the Monarchy has decreased slightly from two years ago in the aftermath of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II (September 19, 2022) but support for the Monarchy is still marginally up from November 2012 (55% for the Monarchy cf. 45% for the Republic once the undecided responses are removed).

Women favour retaining the Monarchy by a greater margin than men

Analysis of the results by gender shows three-fifths of women (60%, down 6%) favour retaining the Monarchy compared to only 40% (up 6%) that favour a Republic with an elected President.

However, the results for men are far more evenly split and are virtually unchanged from two years ago with 53% (down 1%) in favouring the Monarchy compared to 47% (up 1%) that would prefer a Republic.

A majority of Australians aged 35+ support the Monarchy, but those under 35 favour a Republic

Australians refer to tradition, the cost, concerns about an elected President, and the dangerous examples of other countries overseas as reasons to stick with the monarch.

What do you think? Should we stick with Charles and Camilla? Or have an Australian head of state?

[Eddy]

We effectively have an Australian “Head of State”, the Governor General. If we went to an elected H of S we would end up with a lousy politician instead of a distinguished Australian.
While I am not a great advocate of royalty the current system appears preferable to the *#it show we are currently witnessing in the USA.

[BevMcM]

Agree with Eddie above. The current mud slinging, lies, drama politics in the US is enough to not want another layer of this type of political chaos in our country.

[Rod63]

The problem with this poll is that the monarchy alternative is an “elected” president. What we need is a republic with a president (or he/she may have another title) who is appointed like our GG – an eminent, neutral Australian.

Then we would see a much stronger vote for a republic. Like the readers above have noted, when an “elected president” is spoken of, many think of the USA. We want to avoid that system at all costs!

[Jackson47]

I thought I leant towards “republic”
However as commented above, would not want the excreta like the USA.
Top that with the likelihood of a Head O State from the 5 premiers who revealed ignorance and stupidity in not meetimg with a visiting country representative, then I am totally with current situation; even given possible corruption by local representatives.
Imagine the snouts in the trough if the likes of those premiers were in power.

[Tood]

Leave well alone, the last thing we need is some halfwit of a politician to become president let alone a brainless sport legend.

[Rod63]

We haven’t had half-wit politicians or brainless sport legends as governor-general. Nor would we as president (or whatever name we choose to call out head of state).

[Jonty]

Having a non-political Head Of State is the much preferred option.
We already have Houses of parliament which are democratically elected.
Never mind the idiotic mess republics get themselves into; what about the recent French elections where the side of politics who won didn’t get their political leader as prime minister as the President gave the job to the other side who were defeated.
Leave well alone, the Royals may not be perfect, but they do a splendid job and bring joy to a lot of people.
Plus Charles has streamlined a lot of things within the Royals since he became Monarch and he has shown a lifetime of caring for humanity and the planet. The younger age groups amongst us should beware of what a nebulous Republic could bring forth.

[GrumpyGrandpa]

I recall Sir Bob Geldof, probably on a visit here many years ago, being asked a question about whether Australia should become a Republic. His response? “show me one that works”!!

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